Authorities identify man hit, killed by off-duty officer

Authorities identify man hit, killed by off-duty officer

Jul. 18, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) — Police have identified the man who was killed after an off-duty New York City police officer's vehicle struck four pedestrians in Brooklyn during the weekend.

Authorities said Sunday that 21-year-old Andrew Esquivel died early Saturday after an out-of-control SUV driven by 28-year-old Nicholas Batka mounted a sidewalk, hitting Esquivel and three others. The Manhattan man died at a hospital, and police say two women and another man, all in their 20s, were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Police say Batka has worked in the department's Manhattan transit bureau for 1½ years and has been suspended. He's charged with manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and other offenses.

It's unclear if Batka has an attorney who could comment on the crash and the charges.